October, 2009

Case 261
A Pathology laboratory in Australia received proglottids and eggs of a cestode that were recovered from the stool of a young female patient who had been living in Africa.  The only other information given was that the patient had close contact with monkeys.  The laboratory had telediagnosis capabilities and sent images to DPDx for confirmation (Figures A and B, taken at 400x magnification).  The objects depicted in the images measured 52-61 micrometers in diameter.  What is your diagnosis?  Based on what criteria?

A	B

Acknowledgements: This case was kindly provided by Clinipath Pathology in Perth, Western Australia

Click here for the answer to Case 261.

Case 262
A 70-year-old man from the mid-western United States had complaints of fever and general malaise lasting for about one week.  He was admitted to a hospital with evidence of hemolytic process (dark urine and low hemoglobin).  He had undergone a splenectomy when he was 40 years old.  Blood smears were ordered, prepared, and stained with Giemsa.  Figures A and B show what was observed on the stained smears at 1000x magnification.  What is your diagnosis?  Based on what criteria?  What other testing, if any, would you recommend?

A	B

Click here for the answer to Case 262.

Images presented in the monthly case studies are from specimens submitted for diagnosis or archiving.  On rare occasions, clinical histories given may be partly fictitious.